No matter where you are … if you're a Texan, you're going to be affected by the outcome of yesterday's primaries. Last night, as President Biden delivered his State of the Union address and cities in Ukraine came under intensified military pressure from Russian invaders, The New York Times was keeping a running tally with commentary on Texas' first-in-the-nation primaries. That says something about just how significant these races were on many levels. Although the headlines may tell you that it's going to be Greg Abbott vs. Beto O'Rourke in the race for governor in November, the real stories bubbled beneath the surface. For instance: in the GOP primaries, Abbott appears to have had little to fear from fellow Republican challengers waving the MAGA flag. Another key takeaway: progressive Democrats, sensing an opportunity in Texas, had mixed results. Democrats in Texas' 35th district (running mostly east of I-35 in a strip from Austin to San Antonio) gave former Austin City Council member and activist Greg Casar the nod. In another closely-watched race, for Texas' 28th congressional district, centrist incumbent Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Laredo appeared (at last check) to be in a runoff against Jessica Cisneros, who came up a few percentage points short of forcing a runoff in 2020. It was also the first big test for Senate Bill 1, the package of voting rule changes passed by the legislature last session. It is still too early to parse out the full impact, but news outlets were reporting dramatically mixed experiences with long lines and technical problems in Harris County – especially for Democratic voters. Indeed, according to Nick Corasaniti of the Times, the number of rejected ballots in Harris County alone surpassed the statewide total during the 2020 general election. Attorney General Ken Paxton fought off multiple GOP challengers, but is nonetheless headed to a runoff against George P. Bush – adding to speculation that the Bush political dynasty is far from done with Texas. Today, the Texas Standard team is hunkering down for special coverage of the primaries; no worries if you miss anything. That's what podcasts are for! If you haven't joined the thousands who listen to us on demand, mosey on over to your podcast provider of choice and look us up. Or go straight to the source: TexasStandard.org and get hitched up there. Either way, you'll be good to go. Hope you enjoy getting caught up on this past week's news highlights, handpicked by Wells Dunbar and a team of Texas Standard producers and editors. Until next week, we'll see you on the radio.

- David Brown

As the US & Europe sanction Russia, Texas leaders push symbolic responses to Ukraine invasion

Although it is not likely to add economic pressure, a foreign affairs analys says the governor’s call to voluntarily remove Russian products still carries importance.

As Texas Republicans attack gender-affirming health care, moms of trans children say they’re not backing down

“It’s a terrifying prospect to think that somebody is going to come knock on your door and accuse you of child abuse – when all you’re really doing is putting all the work in, talking to the experts and listening and trying to make the best decisions.”

Amid troubling UN climate report, Texas ecologist says we have to act fast to adapt to a warming planet

Climate change is well underway, according to the report, but we can turn to nature to help buffer some of the worst effects.

Carson McHone wrote her latest album during ‘little slices’ of reflection time between tours

McHone's third album “Still Life” sees her Texas roots shine through, despite splitting her time between Austin and Ontario, Canada.

Some Democrats voted in the Texas GOP primaries. Will it make a difference? (Texas Public Radio)
Texas says Harris County’s vote count will be delayed — a claim the elections administrator denies (Houston Public Media)
Judge: Tarrant County election results delayed due to computer issues (KERA)

Hello, and happy day after the primaries! My name is Rachel Osier Lindley and I’m a senior editor for The Texas Newsroom. The Texas Newsroom is a public radio journalism collaboration that includes NPR, KERA in North Texas, Houston Public Media, KUT in Austin, Texas Public Radio in San Antonio and other stations across Texas. You’ve probably heard my college Joseph Leahy in your daily Texas Standard news roundup or read stories from TTN’s Julian Aguilar online. (Speaking of, here's a post from Julian wrapping up what happened in the biggest statewide primaries). In my job, I work with public media reporters from all over the state to cover the stories you want (and need!) to hear on Texas Standard. All this year, reporters have been focusing on the top primaries. Now, they’ll start looking to the May runoffs and the general election. You’ve heard from Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider on the attorney general's race, which he’ll now continue following as it goes to a runoff. From South Texas, Texas Public Radio’s Sofïa Sánchez will be closely watching the runoff between incumbent Democrat Henry Cuellar and his progressive challenger, Jessica Cisneros, as they fight for their party’s nomination to represent Texas’ 28th Congressional District. And, of course, we’ll report on the inevitable twists and turns ahead as former Democratic U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke challenges Republican Incumbent Greg Abbott for the state’s highest office. We’ll also be following the fallout from state’s new voting law. As Houston Public Media’s Caroline Love reported, it led to the rejection of thousands of mail-in ballots in the primaries. Another issue we're watching involves the ongoing legal battles against Texas’ newly-drawn voting district maps. It’s important work, and we do it all together to bring you the very best journalism on your radios, phones and/or smart speakers each day. TTN is also interested in hearing from you! Is there a story in your area we should be covering this election year? I’d love to hear from you! You can email me tips, comments, suggestions, etc. at [email protected]. This is going to be a wild election year, and I look forward to sharing all of our stories with you!

- Rachel Osier Lindley
@RachelOLindley

Listen to stories from Texas with W. F. Strong

Thank You to our Sponsors

The Texas Standard is a partnership of

No matter where you are,
you're on Texas Standard Time

Connect with The Texas Standard

512-471-1631 | Contact Us

This email was sent by: KUT and KUTX Public Radio
300 W. Dean Keeton, A0704, Austin, TX, 78712-8546 US

A Partnership of
Texas Public Radio San Antonio, KERA Dallas, KUT Austin, and Houston Public Media

A service of the Moody College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin

Subscription Center | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy

©2020 Texas Standard